The 1770 House Restaurant

143 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937, 631-324-1770, www.1770house.com

We dined here while staying upstairs at the inn during Christmas week but this restaurant attracts many non-guests as well. A beautiful dining room decorated down to the smallest detail, a large romantic fireplace and wonderfully comfortable chairs all add to the experience. But ultimately, it is the food you will remember.

The chef elevated each dish far beyond what is normally found with familiar American cuisine and the resulting flavors were sublime. We recommend you start with the roasted pear, walnut and Roquefort salad. Move on to the ever-so-tender brisket served over parsnip puree with roasted Brussels sprouts and the best sauce we've ever tasted. Finish with a classic flourless chocolate tart and you will sigh with contentment.

We reveled in our meal while we were eating it and long after. Plans for a return visit to the area were almost immediately formed and our next dinner here is eagerly anticipated. The only low note of the evening was our server's poor attitude and sour face. But we did notice that servers at other tables seemed far more efficient and cheerful. Therefore, given our food bliss, we will assume that the offending waitress has long since been fired and service on our next visit will equal the caliber of this restaurant.